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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Blade Man" Episode 13

This episode of "Blade Man" was a cross between solid character development and a wretched attempt to include all K-drama tropes into one show. "Blade Man" has a way of creating moments that reach out and pull my heart strings. And then it has ways of banishing those moments instantaneously.

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Let's start with the bad. After twelve episodes of layering trope atop trope, "Blade Man" slathered on another one. It would be one thing if the show chose to use them and poke fun at them, or find clever ways to integrate them into the overall concept. Instead they are introduced when a bit of intrigue is needed to liven up a stagnating plot. Take, for instance, Madame Yoon's feelings for Daddy Joo. It is unnecessary to have so many people struggling with romantic woes. I'd like more variety of emotional conflict. In any case, Yoon's feelings were recently revealed and without foundation seem overwrought and insincere. Had they been brought in earlier, those emotions would've be a strong motivator for Madame Yoon's sinister actions. Those feelings are a perverted sense of love and loyalty, which make them wonderful character fodder. Now they seem like a paltry excuse.

Although with the inordinate number of tropes use, there is just not enough payoff to justify them. Yes, Se-dong's dead parent issues and her poverty issues and needy family issues tax her as such things would anyone, but they are not very well used. The only saving grace for including all of these tropes was that Se-dong finally admitted to doing something of her own desire rather than out of a feeling of guilt or obligation. That has been her single growing point since the start of "Blade Man". There may have been smaller, negligible ones, but this point is the only one of significance. It's a little late in the game to play this.

Hong-bin and his father, on the other hand, have done a lot of growing, learning from mistakes, and learning from others. Both of them have finally learned to listen to others rather than hear only what they want to hear. Daddy Joo is hit hard by how little he has in the world now that both his sons and his wife are distant from him. He only has kindly little Chang who tries hard to please and softens his heart. This change did not come instantaneously. Rather, it has been an arduous effort on the parts of everyone in Daddy Joo's life, which makes it more satisfying. The same is true for Hong-bin who has painstakingly worked on opening up to and caring for others. Se-dong inspired him, but he took ownership of it this episode. This, too, was rewarding.

Unfortunately, despite all the good that happened in the episode, it is tainted by the inefficent writing, pacing, and editing. "Blade Man" needs more continuity of plot and it only has six episodes to make it happen.

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Blade Man" is directed by Kim Yong-soo-I, Kim Jong-yeon, written by Kim Gyoo-wan and features Lee Dong-wook, Shin Se-kyung, Kim Kap-soo, and Jung Yoo-geun.

 

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